Patriots Trade WR Ja’Lynn Polk To Saints
The Patriots are trading second-year wideout Ja’Lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 sixth-round pick, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Polk suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason and was placed on season-ending injured reserve during final roster cuts. He still won’t suit up this year, so New Orleans is betting on his ability to recover and live up to his draft billing in 2026 and beyond.
The Saints were interested in Polk during the 2024 draft, per Jeff Duncan and Luke Johnson of The Times-Picayune, but he was taken by the Patriots at No. 37, four picks before New Orleans was on the clock. (The Saints ended up using their second-rounder on cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.)
The 23-year-old disappointed as a rookie, reeling in only 12 of his 37 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He was thought to be on the roster bubble entering training camp after New England revamped their receiver room this offseason. His shoulder surgery pre-empted a release, but the Patriots still found a way to move on when the Saints came calling.
Per OverTheCap, the Patriots trading Polk will leave $2.9MM in dead money, which can be spread across the team’s 2025 and 2026 salary caps. That assumes that the Saints pick up the entirety of his remaining salary, worth just under $5MM over the next three years. 2025 and 2026 are fully guaranteed, while $637k of Polk’s $2.11MM salary in 2027 is guaranteed.
In terms of both finances and draft capital, acquiring Polk is a low-cost move by the Saints, though it does not come without risk. The first two year of his NFL career have essentially been a wash, and he’ll be coming off shoulder surgery entering his third.
Polk is now the second receiver from the 2024 draft class that New Orleans has added in the last month. In August, they sent two Day 3 picks to the Broncos in exchange for former seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele. Neither move seems to be about upgrading their offense this year. Instead, they’re further indicators – along with the team’s plan to start Spencer Rattler for as long as possible – that the team has finally decided to undergo a rebuild, per Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football.
The Patriots, meanwhile, have jettisoned yet another player from their 2024 draft class under new head coach Mike Vrabel. First-round quarterback Drake Maye and third-round offensive lineman Caedan Wallace are the only remaining selections on the roster, (h/t Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). While Maye seems to be the future of the team, Wallace spent part of his rookie year on IR and could only carve out a backup guard role entering this season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/25
Here’s are today’s minor transactions and standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: TE Josiah Deguara
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DT Zion Logue
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: WR Ryan Flournoy
- Elevated: CB Zion Childress, CB Robert Rochell
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Garret Wallow
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: LB Monty Rice
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Chris Lammons
- Placed on IR: CB Jaylon Jones (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Quintin Morris
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: CB Fabian Moreau, OLB Gabriel Murphy
New England Patriots
- Elevated: CB Kobee Minor, LB Mark Robinson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Jonah Williams
- Elevated: S Terrell Burgess, DE Fadil Diggs
- Placed on IR: S Julian Blackmon (story)
New York Giants
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: CB Korie Black
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Marcus Epps, TE Cameron Latu
- Placed on IR: T Cameron Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Jon Rhattigan
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed from practice squad: LB Curtis Robinson
- Elevated: QB Adrian Martinez, TE Brayden Willis
- Waived: DE Robert Beal Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: S D’Anthony Bell, DT Brandon Pili
Tennessee Titans
- Signed from practice squad: C Corey Levin
- Elevated: RB Jordan Mims, T John Ojukwu
- Waived: T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
With one quarterback on the reserve/non-football injury list and starter Brock Purdy inactive, Martinez comes up with the potential to appear in his first ever NFL game, though Niners fans hope his presence will not be necessary.
Bell will be active for tomorrow’s game as the Seahawks work to replace second-round rookie Nick Emmanwori in the secondary. Emmanwori has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Similarly, Wallow will be part of the Broncos’ efforts to fill in for injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who has been ruled out for the second week in a row.
Spencer Rattler Expected To Receive Long Run As Starter; Saints Surprised Players With QB Setup?
Shortly before the Saints’ regular season started, Spencer Rattler won the competition for the starting quarterback position. The second-year passer narrowly edged rookie Tyler Shough for the gig.
Rattler took over from an injured Derek Carr last season. He lost all seven of his starts upon doing so, leading to questions about his upside at the NFL level. The former fifth-rounder nevertheless appears to have a long leash atop the depth chart under new head coach Kellen Moore. The Saints are not expected to replace Rattler quickly, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, and will instead “give him as much opportunity as possible until he proves incapable of handling the starting spot.”
Rattler seemed to clear that relatively low bar in Week 1. His official stat line was unspectacular – 26 completions on 47 attempts (56.7%) for 214 yards – but his 77.3 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked 12th among all quarterbacks in Week 1. Crucially, he didn’t turn the ball over and only took one sack on 14 pressures. The Saints will be hoping that Rattler can improve over the course of the season, but they seem more interested in establishing a solid floor for their offense rather than boosting its ceiling.
New Orleans’ willingness to stick with Rattler may also betray their plans for the future. Despite drafting Shough (and giving him a fully guaranteed rookie contract) this offseason, the Saints are “already playing for next year’s draft,” per Pauline. Players were surprised that the team didn’t pursue a veteran quarterback to stabilize their offense before the season and remain unsold on Moore’s vision for the future.
Those are further indications that the team was not prepared for Carr’s retirement and may be punting on the 2025 season to build for the future. Given the Saints’ annual battle with the salary cap, accepting a reset year or two to straighten out their finances and quarterback situation might be the best path forward.
As for Shough, he can still develop as a rookie and push to start in 2026, especially if the Saints can’t land their desired quarterback prospect in the draft. Obviously, getting on the field this year would give him a better shot at securing a long-term starting job. Even if that doesn’t work out, his $2.7MM APY isn’t a bad price for a backup quarterback.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/10/25
Here are today’s mid-week minor NFL transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Simi Fehoko
- Placed on IR: S Joey Blount
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: QB Hunter Dekkers
New York Jets
- Signed off Bengals’ practice squad: WR Isaiah Williams
- Waived: WR Xavier Gipson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: CB James Pierre
- Placed on IR: LB Malik Harrison, QB Skylar Thompson
Blount will reportedly be on injured reserve for the remainder of the season after Sunday’s neck injury. After colliding with a ball carrier at the same time as rookie linebacker Cody Simon, who suffered a concussion, Blount was seen in a neck brace after the game.
After Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that “players who made costly mistakes would not stay on the field,” per Brian Costello of the New York Post, Gipson has been waived from the team. In a close loss to the Steelers, Gipson coughed up a costly fumble. Williams will come up from Cincinnati, and his experience as a return man may hint at how New York might address the loss of Gipson.
The Steelers see two key backups hit injured reserve as they make room for Jabrill Peppers and Pierre. Harrison followed Patrick Queen this offseason as the second linebacker to make the move from rival Baltimore in as many seasons, but he didn’t have an established role on the Steelers defense yet. Thompson joins rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard on IR. Practice squad passer Logan Woodside now stands as QB3 behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/9/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K John Parker Romo
- Released: LB Ronnie Perkins
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Cornelius Johnson
- Released: LB Malik Hamm
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Dallis Flowers
- Released: DB Tre Flowers
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Ralph Holley
- Released: RB Trayveon Williams
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Deuce Vaughn
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Devin Cochran, LB Monty Rice
- Released: LB Anthony Pittman
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Keydrain Calligan, S Darrick Forrest
- Released: C Mose Vavao, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Hal Presley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Released: RB Nyheim Hines
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Hunter Dekkers, QB Jake Haener
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Keilan Robinson
- Released: RB Lawrance Toafili
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Jake Majors
- Released: RB Montrell Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Robbie Chosen
Today’s practice squad transactions are highlighted by the release of a veteran running back. Nyheim Hines has been looking to revive his career since he missed the 2023 season thanks to a leg injury sustained in a jet ski collision. Since he was released by the Bills after that campaign, he’s spent time with the Browns and Chargers without getting into a game. A former fourth-round pick, Hines had four productive seasons with the Colts to begin his career, including a 2020 campaign where he compiled 862 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/25
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived from IR: CB Christian Matthew
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed (off Rams’ practice squad): RB Cody Schrader
New England Patriots
- Waived: CB D.J. James
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Jack Stoll
New York Giants
- Waived from IR: CB Tre Hawkins
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DL Gabe Hall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived from IR: CB Cameron McCutcheon
Tre Hawkins was waived/injured at the end of the preseason and reverted to IR, meaning he wouldn’t be able to play during the 2025 campaign. After agreeing to an injury settlement today, he’ll now have an opportunity to take the field elsewhere. The former sixth-round pick started three of his 17 appearances as a rookie, but he was limited to only three games in 2024 thanks in part to a season-ending fractured lumbar spine injury.
Saints Restructure Taysom Hill’s Contract
The Saints restuctured Taysom Hill‘s contract before the regular season, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
The eight-year veteran is coming off a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season and was placed on the physically unable to perform list during roster cut-downs.
The move was not a traditional restructure that converted base salary into a prorated signing bonus. Instead, $6MM of Hill’s 2025 salary was converted into per-game roster bonuses. Since he started the regular season on the PUP list, he can receive $500K per game for up to 12 games.
The Saints saved about $3.6MM with Hill’s restructured deal, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football. It will still void on the last day of the 2025 league year, making him a free agent after the season.
New Orleans is already over the 2026 salary cap with only 43 players under contract due to their aggressive use of traditional restructures and void years. As a result, re-signing Hill may not be a priority, especially if the team’s new coaching staff wants to move in a different direction on offense. However, Hill’s age (35) and recent injuries will limit his market in free agency. He which may allow the Saints to retain their longtime gadget player on an inexpensive deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/25
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: LB Carl Jones, DL Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Waived from IR: C Doug Kramer
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: DT Perrion Winfrey
Denver Broncos
- Waived from IR: DT Kristian Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Tim Jones
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: DE Fadil Diggs
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tyler Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed from practice squad: LB Patrick Johnson
Free Agency
- Suspended: DB Kemon Hall
Cowboys defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey will now be out through the month of September after landing on IR today. Winfrey has been dealing with a back injury that forced him to miss the season opener. The 25-year-old joined the Cowboys back in June following a successful showing in the UFL.
Free agent defensive back Kemon Hall has been hit with a three-game ban, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby. The suspension would go into effect once the player joins a team. The 2019 UDFA most recently spent the preseason with the Cowboys. He was among the team’s final cuts and subsequently landed on their practice squad, but he was released days later. The 28-year-old has appeared in 24 career games.
Saints’ Julian Blackmon Suffers Torn Labrum
For the second time in 2025, labrum surgery is in store for Julian Blackmon. The veteran safety’s tenure with the Saints is set to last only one game. 
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday Blackmon was feared to have suffered a torn labrum, an injury he encountered late last season. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football has since confirmed that is indeed the case. As a result, season-ending surgery is upcoming.
Blackmon underwent surgery on his previous tear in January. Rapoport notes this latest ailment concerns a different portion of the same labrum, while Underhill adds surgery will take place soon. The news marks a notable blow to New Orleans’ secondary, a unit which lost Tyrann Mathieu to retirement in July. Blackmon was added in the immediate aftermath of that decision.
That came about via a one-year pact featuring $3.17MM in guarantees. After just one regular season contest, Blackmon’s attention will now turn once again to the recovery process. The Saints, meanwhile, will presumably need to seek out a safety addition with the regular season already underway.
Blackmon played out his rookie contract with the Colts, serving as a full-time starter during that span. The 27-year-old did not generate a notable market during his first trip to free agency, however, and he remained in Indianapolis on a one-year pact. The Colts added Camryn Bynum this spring, pointing to a Blackmon departure taking place. The latter spent much of the offseason unsigned, and this injury will no doubt hurt his earning potential next spring as well.
New Orleans recently released special teams ace J.T. Gray, who has since joined the Ravens. Gray would not have been a preferred candidate to fill in on defense, but his absence will compound the Saints’ depth issues at safety given the fact Blackmon is now out for the rest of the campaign. New Orleans entered Monday with $8.61MM in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if another low-cost addition is sought out in the near future.
2025 Offseason In Review Series
Here are PFR’s breakdowns of each NFL team’s 2025 offseason.